"One front and one battle where everyone in the United States - every man, woman, child - is in action. That front is right here at home, in our daily lives."
--U.S. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, in address to the nation, April 1942
Who --The people of a nation during World War I; involved a nation's people contributing to the war in different supportive methods ("hinged on how effectively each nation mobilized its economy and activated its citizens to support the war effort.") (Bentley).
--Those primarily involved were mainly women, and sometimes children (Bentley)
--With the dawning of World War I, women and feminist groups joined together and hope of helping their country at war: "all the major feminist groups of the belligerents had given a new pledge – to support their respective governments.”(Goldstein)
--Many groups of women became involved - those who were once campaigner's for women suffrage during the time soon became patriots and supporters of the home front. (Goldstein)
--In the US, women were greatly involved in military-involved work; this included joining the US Navy in order to perform clerical work (noted to be the first women in US history to be admitted to full military rank and status), and being hired by the Army act as nurses and telephone operators overseas (Goldstein)
--Not all women chose to be part of the military; WWI women are greatly recognized for working in the civilian workforce
--Women, specifically in Britain and the US, were granted work into war-related industries so to allow men available for military use (this was temporary for women until the war was over and the men returned). (Goldstein)
--Other countries involving the work of women included Russia and Germany (Russia = took part in combat as woman or by dressing up as a man; Germany = entered industrial jobs and served as civilian workers in military jobs) (Goldstein)
--Women, beside the aspect of working, were also known to shame men into going to war (ex: would organize large-scale campaigns and hand out white feathers to men on the streets for shame of not participating the war)(Goldstein)
(Woman working in a shelling factory during World War I)
Women
-the war helped women economically and socially (BBC) -"The war revolutionized the industrial position of women - it found them serfs and left them free," Millicent Fawcett (feminist who founded Newnham College Cambridge and president of the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies) (BBC) -According to BBC, between 1914 and 1918, an estimated two million women replaced men in employment, resulting in an increase in the proportion of women in total employment from 24 per cent in July 1914 to 37 per cent by November 1918 -more job opportunities opened up
-women took over roles that were normally seen as 'men's' work
-some jobs were: Bank clerks, working in factories, steel mills, airplane works, farming, railroad trackwalkers, etc...) (Kim).
-received good wages, there were better working conditions, and more independence
-however not all jobs were being filled because sometimes several women would do what one man could (BBC).-Miss Christabel Pankhurst speaking on behalf of the Women's Social and Political Union said: "We feel the best thing we can do is to try and put the case to others as we women see it ourselves. The people of this country must be made to realise that this is a life and death struggle, and that the success of the Germans would be disastrous for the civilization of the world, let alone for the British Empire. Everything that we women have been fighting for and treasure would disappear in the event of a German victory,"
(Spartacus). (poster from U.S.) When The home front took place during World War I between the years of 1914-1918
Where The home front was worldwide, taking place in every country who were involved in WWI (the US is a great example of the home front). Every country involved in the war had a homefront that played a significant role in thier contribution to the war.
What
There were many different roles that the citizens played to aid the war. Propaganda
-the media helped to influence how the war was being perceived (both positively and negatively)
-the Daily Mail was the first instance where we see newspapers having a mass number of readers
-papers were free to write as they pleased as long as they didn't criticize the government
-reporters were soon allowed on the western front and would send information back to the homefront
-another new source of propaganda was the cinema
-reporters would take film of the army fighting and would add things such as music and sound effects to twist the message
-a lot of the time propaganda was used to support the war effort and make the homefront stay positive (BBC) (Propaganda poster in the UK)
--According to Harold D. Lasswell propaganda has four objectives: “to mobilize hatred against the enemy, to preserve the friendship of allies, to preserve the friendship and, if possible, to procure the co-operation of neutrals and to demoralize the enemy.” (War and Peace: The First World War) --Propaganda, especially used during World War II, involves using persuasive techniques (whether subtle or blunt) to influence human behavior upon a subject taking place -->used greatly by journalists, politicians, and particularly posters --each of the nations in World War I used propaganda posters as to bring about men, money, and resources for the military campaign (First World War.com)
--the posters proved successful and were seen everywhere in many of the countries - especially Britain (posters remained in use throughout all the war) (First World War.com)
--Propaganda posters not only used to recruit men, but also to urge wartime thrift, and to also seek funds from the public (by subscriptions to war bond schemes) (First World War.com)
(another US propaganda poster) Rationing “A fixed portion, especially an amount of food allotted to persons in military service or to civilians in times of scarcity,” (free dictionary) -the war led to inflation which caused the homefront to have to cut back on everday items such as food and fuel (history learning site) (Rationing poster in the U.S.) Importance
Without the help of the homefront in WWI no country would have been able to fight. This is one of the first instances of war where it's not just about the men who are out fighting, it affected everyone. The homefront allowed women to gain independence and respect by doing a 'man's' job and contributing in the war effort. Also the people of the homefront were able to produce much needed goods such as bullets, food, and airplane parts. The homefront was the spine of the war and was what kept the armies able to continue fighting. The homefront also represented the will and spirit of the country. By everyone working together back home and doing all they can to help contribute, this expressed the will and determination of the country as a whole - of how much they wanted to win. It is true that without the homefront, no country would have been able to get as far as they did. The contribution of women played a enormous role in this aspect as they were the ones who kept the country alive economically; they were the ones who took it upon them to to watch over the husband's job and family for them. Thanks to their hard work, they have become an essnetial part of the war which will never be forgotten.
Cites 1. Bentley, Jerry H., and Herbert F. Ziegler. Traditions & Encounters: A Global Perspective on the Past. Ed. Michael Ryan. 4th ed.Vol. II. New York: Lisa Moore, 2000.
Margeaux and LindsayHomefront
"One front and one battle where everyone in the United States - every man, woman, child - is in action. That front is right here at home, in our daily lives."--U.S. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, in address to the nation, April 1942
Who
--The people of a nation during World War I; involved a nation's people contributing to the war in different supportive methods ("hinged on how effectively each nation mobilized its economy and activated its citizens to support the war effort.") (Bentley).
--Those primarily involved were mainly women, and sometimes children (Bentley)
--With the dawning of World War I, women and feminist groups joined together and hope of helping their country at war: "all the major feminist groups of the belligerents had given a new pledge – to support their respective governments.” (Goldstein)
--Many groups of women became involved - those who were once campaigner's for women suffrage during the time soon became patriots and supporters of the home front. (Goldstein)
--In the US, women were greatly involved in military-involved work; this included joining the US Navy in order to perform clerical work (noted to be the first women in US history to be admitted to full military rank and status), and being hired by the Army act as nurses and telephone operators overseas (Goldstein)
--Not all women chose to be part of the military; WWI women are greatly recognized for working in the civilian workforce
--Women, specifically in Britain and the US, were granted work into war-related industries so to allow men available for military use (this was temporary for women until the war was over and the men returned). (Goldstein)
--Other countries involving the work of women included Russia and Germany (Russia = took part in combat as woman or by dressing up as a man; Germany = entered industrial jobs and served as civilian workers in military jobs) (Goldstein)
--Women, beside the aspect of working, were also known to shame men into going to war (ex: would organize large-scale campaigns and hand out white feathers to men on the streets for shame of not participating the war) (Goldstein)
(Woman working in a shelling factory during World War I)
Women
-the war helped women economically and socially (BBC)
-"The war revolutionized the industrial position of women - it found them serfs and left them free," Millicent Fawcett (feminist who founded Newnham College Cambridge and president of the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies) (BBC)
-According to BBC, between 1914 and 1918, an estimated two million women replaced men in employment, resulting in an increase in the proportion of women in total employment from 24 per cent in July 1914 to 37 per cent by November 1918
-more job opportunities opened up
-women took over roles that were normally seen as 'men's' work
-some jobs were: Bank clerks, working in factories, steel mills, airplane works, farming, railroad trackwalkers, etc...) (Kim).
-received good wages, there were better working conditions, and more independence
-however not all jobs were being filled because sometimes several women would do what one man could (BBC).-Miss Christabel Pankhurst speaking on behalf of the Women's Social and Political Union said: "We feel the best thing we can do is to try and put the case to others as we women see it ourselves. The people of this country must be made to realise that this is a life and death struggle, and that the success of the Germans would be disastrous for the civilization of the world, let alone for the British Empire. Everything that we women have been fighting for and treasure would disappear in the event of a German victory,"
(Spartacus).
When
The home front took place during World War I between the years of 1914-1918
Where
The home front was worldwide, taking place in every country who were involved in WWI (the US is a great example of the home front).
Every country involved in the war had a homefront that played a significant role in thier contribution to the war.
What
There were many different roles that the citizens played to aid the war.
Propaganda
-the media helped to influence how the war was being perceived (both positively and negatively)
-the Daily Mail was the first instance where we see newspapers having a mass number of readers
-papers were free to write as they pleased as long as they didn't criticize the government
-reporters were soon allowed on the western front and would send information back to the homefront
-another new source of propaganda was the cinema
-reporters would take film of the army fighting and would add things such as music and sound effects to twist the message
-a lot of the time propaganda was used to support the war effort and make the homefront stay positive
(BBC)
--According to Harold D. Lasswell propaganda has four objectives: “to mobilize hatred against the enemy, to preserve the friendship of allies, to preserve the friendship and, if possible, to procure the co-operation of neutrals and to demoralize the enemy.” (War and Peace: The First World War)
--Propaganda, especially used during World War II, involves using persuasive techniques (whether subtle or blunt) to influence human behavior upon a subject taking place -->used greatly by journalists, politicians, and particularly posters
--each of the nations in World War I used propaganda posters as to bring about men, money, and resources for the military campaign (First World War.com)
--the posters proved successful and were seen everywhere in many of the countries - especially Britain (posters remained in use throughout all the war) (First World War.com)
--Propaganda posters not only used to recruit men, but also to urge wartime thrift, and to also seek funds from the public (by subscriptions to war bond schemes) (First World War.com)
(another US propaganda poster)
Rationing
“A fixed portion, especially an amount of food allotted to persons in military service or to civilians in times of scarcity,” (free dictionary)
-the war led to inflation which caused the homefront to have to cut back on everday items such as food and fuel (history learning site)
Importance
Without the help of the homefront in WWI no country would have been able to fight. This is one of the first instances of war where it' s not just about the men who are out fighting, it affected everyone. The homefront allowed women to gain independence and respect by doing a 'man's' job and contributing in the war effort. Also the people of the homefront were able to produce much needed goods such as bullets, food, and airplane parts. The homefront was the spine of the war and was what kept the armies able to continue fighting.
The homefront also represented the will and spirit of the country. By everyone working together back home and doing all they can to help contribute, this expressed the will and determination of the country as a whole - of how much they wanted to win. It is true that without the homefront, no country would have been able to get as far as they did. The contribution of women played a enormous role in this aspect as they were the ones who kept the country alive economically; they were the ones who took it upon them to to watch over the husband's job and family for them. Thanks to their hard work, they have become an essnetial part of the war which will never be forgotten.
Cites
1. Bentley, Jerry H., and Herbert F. Ziegler. Traditions & Encounters: A Global Perspective on the Past. Ed. Michael Ryan. 4th ed.Vol. II. New York: Lisa Moore, 2000.
2.Badsey, Dr Stephen. "BBC - History - Mass Politics and the Western Front." BBC - Homepage. 1 Mar. 2003. 22 Mar. 2009 <http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/3. Bourke, Professor Joanna. "BBC - History - Women on the Home Front in World War One." BBC - Homepage. 1 Mar. 2003. 22 Mar. 2009 <http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/britain_wwone/women_employment_01.shtml>.
3. Goldstein, Joshua S. "The Women in World War I." American Women in Uniform, Veterans Too! 22 Mar. 2009 <http://www.warandgender.com/wgwomwwi.htm>
4. Kim, Tae. "Seattle General Strike: Where Women Worked During World War I." UW Departments Web Server. 22 Mar. 2009 <http://depts.washington.edu/labhist/strike/kim.shtml>.5. "Propaganda." War and Peace: The First World War. 22 Mar. 2009 <http://www3.eou.edu/hist06/WWIPropaganda.html>
6. "Propaganda Poster." First World War.com. 24 Sept. 2005. 22 Mar. 2009 <http://www.firstworldwar.com/posters/index.htm>
7."Women and Recruitment." Spartacus Educational - Home Page. 22 Mar. 2009 <http://www.spartacus.schoolnet
8. rationing - definition of rationing by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.." Dictionary, Encyclopedia and Thesaurus - The Free Dictionary. 22 Mar. 2009
9. "::World War One::." ::History Learning Site::. 22 Mar. 2009 http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk
Photos
1. Home Front Women. The Home Front: Woman of the First World War. Home Front Women. The Home Front: Woman of the First World War. 11 Nov. 2008. 22 Mar. 2009 <http://browse.guardian.co.uk/search?search=home+front+women&sitesearch-radio=guardian&go-guardian=Search>.
2. Duffy. First World War . Digital image. [Propaganda Posters]. First World War. 22 Mar. 2009 <http://www.firstworldwar.com/posters/uk.htm>.
3.<http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/40/Howard_Chandler_Christy_WWI_poster_04.jpg/300px-Howard_Chandler_Christy_WWI_poster_04.jpg>.
4. Propaganda Poster. Propaganda Poster - WWI. Hullwebs Histor of Hull. 22 Mar. 2009 <http://www.hullwebs.co.uk/content/l-20c/conflict/ww1/posters/propoganada-posters.htm>